The term 'CUT IN A ZIGZAG' can be broken down into three separate words: SLALOM (6 letters), TACK (4 letters), and WEAVE (5 letters). SLALOM is a type of skiing where the skier navigates between poles or gates in a zigzag pattern. Tacking is a sailing maneuver where the boat turns its bow through the wind in order to change direction. Weaving is a technique used in fabric production where threads are interlaced at right angles to form a fabric. All three of these terms describe a zigzag motion, which is what is meant by the phrase 'CUT IN A ZIGZAG'.